A traumatic experience can make a lasting impact, affecting you—in a negative way—for years to come. Even everyday stress can weigh on you to the point that you look for an easy way of relief. This is where substance use comes into play. People struggling with past trauma can use drugs and alcohol to numb the effects of the trauma. Unfortunately, this can lead to addiction. Dual diagnosis treatment may be needed if co-occurring trauma and substance use disorders exist. Trauma therapy programs can help you—or a loved one—overcome an associated addiction. Give The Arbor a call today at 844.413.2690 to learn more.
The Trauma and Substance Use Connection
Substance abuse affects millions of people in our country, and many use drugs or alcohol as a result of some form of trauma. Common side effects of traumas are:
- Depression
- Lethargy
- Fear
- Anxiety
- Anger and acting out
Another major side effect is substance use and substance abuse. If the abuse reaches the level of addiction, then professional treatment may be needed for both the trauma and the substance abuse.
The correlation between substance use and trauma includes:
- Substance use can lower your defenses and actually make you more susceptible to the triggers of trauma.
- Drugs and alcohol can be used to self-medicate and dull the effects of trauma when you do not know about healthier coping mechanisms.
- Even if you haven’t experienced a trauma, using drugs or alcohol can lead to a traumatic event.
It is also common for an addiction and a trauma to exist alongside each other as co-occurring disorders.
What Are Some Common Sources of Trauma?
A traumatic experience can take many forms, but whatever the case, it overwhelms a person’s normal ability to process stress, anxiety, and fear. Dealing with stressful situations is part of being human, and in many cases, we are equipped to process the experience over time. However, a truly traumatic experience can overwhelm this coping process and cause an individual difficulties in their daily lives as they relive the traumatic experience in various ways.
Some common sources of trauma include the following:
- Direct combat experience
- Sexual assault
- Life-threatening illness or injury
- The death of a loved one
- Being a witness to a trauma or violence
- A serious accident
- Natural disasters
- Postpartum stress
Those who have experienced trauma may not even realize that they are struggling with it. However, if the side effects listed above persist, professional behavioral health treatment should be sought out.
What Is a Trauma Therapy Program?
The goal of any substance use disorder treatment program is for the individual to be able to function in everyday life, armed with effective coping techniques, so they do not turn to drugs or alcohol. A large part of treatment is focused on redirecting negative thoughts and learning tools and techniques to better manage triggers and stressors in life that are associated with the trauma experienced.
Trauma programs can be crafted to include a number of therapies that work for a person’s unique needs. Depending on the addiction associated with the trauma, one of the following programs can be beneficial:
- Residential treatment program
- Intensive outpatient treatment program (IOP)
- Drug addiction treatment program
- Alcohol addiction treatment program
- Sober living program
- Dual diagnosis program
Professional care and treatment are necessary to fully address the trauma and any corresponding substance use disorder. The Arbor can customize a treatment plan to meet each client’s needs. A combination of traditional talk therapy, behavioral therapies, and experiential therapies will be used as part of a treatment plan.
Ask The Arbor About Trauma Therapy in Georgetown, TX
If you or a loved one have been self-medicating with drugs or alcohol to dull the side effects of past trauma, then professional help is needed. Trauma therapy helps clients develop coping mechanisms to deal with triggers and cravings. Whether your trauma stems from PTSD in the military, childhood abuse, or stress associated with a natural disaster or worldwide pandemic, help is available.
Contact a professional treatment center like The Arbor to learn about a trauma therapy program. A professional team is standing by to answer your questions at 844.413.2690 and get you on the road to recovery. You can also submit the online form, and we will get back to you.